ROUNDUP
Liberty Sets Franchise Points Mark In Easy Win
New York's Tiffany Jackson and her Liberty teammates crossed the century mark and set a new franchise record for points in a 105-72 win on Sunday afternoon.
(Bill Kostroun - AP)
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Monday, June 23, 2008; Page E03
Tiffany Jackson scored a career-high 21 points and the New York Liberty set a franchise scoring record with a 105-72 victory over the Phoenix Mercury yesterday at Madison Square Garden.
The Liberty hit 11 three-pointers and shot 54 percent from the field to eclipse the mark of 95 points scored at Phoenix on June 21, 2001. New York (6-5) was sparked by the return of Loree Moore, who missed the last five games with a back injury. She had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Liberty, which has won five of seven, was 11 for 22 from behind the arc, just two short of the franchise record set against Chicago on July 25, 2006.
"It was one of those nights," Liberty Coach Pat Coyle said. "We made a lot of shots and they didn't. Phoenix is really good, we just caught them in the midst of three games in five nights, traveling across country."
Diana Taurasi scored 21 points to lead Phoenix (4-7). She was trying to become only the second player in league history to have three straight 30-point games. Cynthia Cooper did it in July 1997. Taurasi had 32 in a win over Connecticut on Wednesday and 33 in a victory over Chicago on Friday.
The Mercury had scored 100 points in each of its past two games, but was held to a season low yesterday. It was the worst loss since the Mercury was beaten by 41 points by Seattle in 2002.
Jackson was 8 for 8 from the field and added seven rebounds.
Cappie Pondexter, who leads the league with 25.7 points per game, had an off game. She was just 4 for 16 from the field and finished with 16 points.
ยท SHOCK 97, DREAM 76: In Atlanta, Cheryl Ford had 20 points and 12 rebounds to help Detroit hand the expansion Dream its 13th straight loss to begin the season.
"Man, we just have to get that monkey off our back," said Ivory Latta, who scored a career-high 26 points and 10 assists.
Atlanta became the second team in WNBA history to open a season with 13 straight losses. Detroit started the 2002 season with a 0-13 record, then promptly won the league title the next year.
